How did sports play a role in 9/11?

Before the weekend came to a close, we were reminded of the day 10 years ago yesterday, when many American lives forever changed, a day that will never be forgotten. It seems so crazy. It's already been 10 years since the day America was attacked. It doesn't seem that long to me, but day by day and as time moves on, the healing process for thousands of Americans- gets just a little bit easier.

As a nation, we came together after 9/11. We rallied around one another for support, we grieved together, we cried together, but most importantly, we helped one another out. For the rest of that day, for the rest of that month, and many months forward...many people needed our help. The pain was so severe from the attacks that you couldn't help but get emotional, whether you were a firefighter at ground zero, or a teacher across the country. The nation truly came together.

One way people coped...is through sporting events. Little did we know that a baseball game in New York or a football game in Washington D.C. would help so many Americans get their minds off their problems. Of course sports were shut down for a solid week, but by the time they came back, America was ready to get back to a sense of normalcy. The New York Mets played their first game after the 9/11 break at home against the Atlanta Braves, and boy was it an emotional night. I can remember ESPN cutting in and showing the pre game ceremonies. I remember tears in player's eyes as they went to the middle of the infield and started hugging one another. It was a very eerie feeling. Btw, if you want a quick synapse of that game, click here.

But if you were a New York Met fan, the defining moment in that game was when catcher Mike Piazza hit a two-run home run with the Mets down 2-1. Piazza corked a fast ball deep into left center field over the wall, and the Mets went onto win 3-2. Former teammate John Franco said the home run sent chills up and down his spine. Even though, the Mets would not make it to the World Series like they did the year before, there were two other baseball moments New York had later on that fall...which would also lift some people's spirits.

Watch a video from MLB.com on the game from September 21, 2011.

Fast forward to October 31, 2001. Across town in the Bronx, the Yankees were making a play for their fourth World Series title in a row. They were facing the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series. The D-Backs had a commanding two games to one lead in game four of the World Series at the 'old Yankee Stadium.' With two outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the ninth, the Yankees trailing 3-1, up walks Tino Martinez to the plate for the Yankees. On the first pitch, he hits a blast over the center field wall to tie it at three, and the game goes into extra innings.

Then, you all knows what happens in extra innings. At midnight...November 1, 2001, up walks Mr. November to the plate, Derek Jeter, the Yankee captain. On a full count to #2 in the bottom of the 10th, Jeter takes a slider and slices it down the right field line. The crowd waited to see whether it was going to land fair or foul, but it stayed fair down the line and cleared the wall for a home run. Yanks take game number four 4-3.

See the bottom of the ninth and tenth of game four of the 2001 World Series. October 31, 2001.
 
Need I say more? Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth the next night, Scott Brosius hit a two run shot to left field to tie the game, and the Yankees would go on to win that one in extra innings. Was it a coincidence that both these things happened in 'the city that never sleeps,' after it suffered its worst day ever? I think not. Unfortunately for New York, the Yankees would blow a ninth inning lead in game seven of the World Series and ultimately loose. However, it's moments like these that brought the city together.

Chilling. The next night. November 1, 2001.

Everyone's story is different...as to how people coped through 9-11. Some used friends, some used family, but for many people, some even used sports. After all, for many Americans, it's what they know how to do best. Did sports fully heal the country after 9/11? No, but it became a place where people could take their minds off the brothers, sisters, and friends they lost on that fateful day. Watching the 9/11 tributes before all of the NFL games yesterday gave me chills while I sat down. It's one of those moments in life...that makes you proud to be an American.

Do sports make you feel the same way? Send me an email.